Wednesday, July 13, 2016

On June 22, 2016 Elder Jarom Bartlett landed at the Salt City
airport amid a lot of other missionaries that were returning home. He was one of the last missionaries to come down the stairs and was greeted by his mom & dad, his sister in law and nephew. After greetings he was taken to lunch with his sister, brother and brother in law. He got to go home to Herriman, Utah and see more family and dump his stuff at
the house. A day later he packed up and drove with his mom and dad to Littleton, Colorado where he left from to serve his mission to give a homecoming talk in the Bowles Grove Ward. He was also able to visit with another sister and her family in Aurora, Colorado while there. During that visit he introduced us to empanadas at Maria's empanadas and for the first time we saw a family in the park sharing a cup of mate. We found out they were from Argentina!

Elder Bartlett attended his mission presidents homecoming Sunday July 10th in Lindon, Utah with many other missionaries that served in the Comodoro Rivadavia Argentina Mission. He will report July 24, 2016 to the Rose Canyon 1st ward where his parents now reside at 11 am at 6719 west Valynn Drive, Herriman, Utah 84096..

We have had so much fun trying some of the things that Elder Bartlett has brought home and listening to the things he did on his mission. We are so glad to have him home now and hope that he can keep up on his Spanish at BYU and keep in touch with the people he met in Argentina.

returned missionaries singing at president and sister Rogers homecoming

Monday, June 13, 2016

This is the end brothers and sisters. My last week in the great Mission Argentina Comodoro Rivadavia... I don't have much time to write because today is SUPER PREPARATION DAY! It is the 3rd anniversary of the mission! So we are going up the Rada Tilly with 3 other zones to play soccer!

This week should go well. We have our president's last conference, and we should have at least one baptism on Sunday!

Monday, June 6, 2016

I apologize to inform you that I REFUSE to leave the mission. I am going to go rogue mormon and keep being a missionary...

Ha ha not even close! The mission is wonderful, but it tires you. I don't know how Paul did so many missions for so long... or Alma and Ammon... The lamanites must have prepared some really good food ;)

This week was probably the best week of my entire mission... Why did I have to wait two years to get to this point! We baptized Lourdes Cuellar and Maira Ojeda on Saturday! The entire family of Lourdes is already baptized, but she was hestitant to enter the water for fear of her family... Then on Monday she had a dream that she NEEDED to get baptized, so she did! Maira told us that she didn't want to get baptized, but she got married on Friday. Everyone started asking us if we had talked to her about baptism, and we said, "No, she told us she isn't ready." Well we talked to her Saturday morning and she was a totally different person! She knew that the Book of Mormon is true, that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's chosen prophet today, and that the temple is the only way to live with her family forver! Can anyone say mircacles in abundance?!

Monday, May 30, 2016

I feel the mission is like a video game... Once you get familiarized with level one, you beat it and move on to level 2. But level 2 is impossible! You mess around with it for a awhile, figure it out and move on to level 3, but it's ridiculously impossible!! Ha ha now that I feel like I have things in the mission kind of figured out, we had a crazy week with some tough people that just did not want to accept what we are teaching...

Basically, do everything you can now :) Do NOT think, "One day when I'm better, I'll do it." That day will never come. We're not supposed to feel prepared for trials, we're here to learn how to trust in God. Have confidence that He is there to help, and jump in with both feet! I know He'll catch you when you fall.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Hello... it's us. Hello from the outside! We must have knocked a thousand times!

If you're a missionary you'll understand ;)

Hi family and friends!

Yesterday we finished up with another "Super Week in His Footsteps." It was an amazing week, with lots of ups and downs... But this Saturday Lourdes Cuellar should be getting baptized! WOO HOO! Her family all recently got baptized, but she is a little more stubborn. It amazes me what the Spirit can do when people let Him into their hearts.

I will tell you one of the miracles this week since I don't have much time and there are so many to tell! We were on our way to buy some yummy lunch, when I was moved upon by the Spirit so strongly I almost tripped. I stopped a young man in the street that didn't seem to have any particular destination. It turns out that he had recently arrived in Caleta from the Dominican Republic, and he was just getting to know the town. He offered to sit on a near-by bench and listen to us. He is on a great quest - to live the truth. He has been to many churches, but none of them convince him. We shared our testimonies with him and invited him to church. To my great surprise, he showed up the next day! He asked a lot of great questions and we stayed after talking and sharing more. He is such a great kid, and he has had a rough history. He is extemely intelligent, but needs to leave some room for the Spirit. I hope he will continue meeting with us. He has potential to do amazing things.

Monday, May 16, 2016

It has been a long and irregular last two weeks... Happy be-lated Mothers Day! I talked to my two beautiful parents that are getting ready to take my place in the mission field! Amazing...

The Lord has called me off the island and sent me to Caleta Olivia with Elder Quintanilla from Peru. I arrived, taught one lesson, and Viviana Gongora got baptized 4 days later! Others and ready to get baptized in the next few weeks! A little tender mercy from above to help me finish strong. I might come back a few pounds heavier though with how well my companion cooks and how much food we get...

Well... I'll be seeing everybody in 5 weeks! It's time to get back to work!

Love,

Elder Bartlett

PS Everything is great, at the current rate I think my shoes will fall off of my feet as I am getting off the plane!

Monday, May 2, 2016

This week was amazing! We did a huge activity as a mission called "A week in His footsteps." Bascically, do everything you can to be like our Saviour. I sacrificed eating all sweets, and I almost couldn't do it! I realized how addicted to eating sugary things I am... It was an amazing week filled with lots of miracles. This week we find out if I stay or go. Also, I get to call my beautiful parents for mothers day!

I'll share one of my miracles that just melted my heart.

In the evening of "super day" we did divisions with the Elders Quorum President and his son. I went with the son, Leo, and all of our appointments fell through. So I decided I'd give him some mission experience and do some contacts! We had some pretty rough "shut-downs", a few maybe interested people, and the tenth door we knocked we said, "God loves you," and she let us in! We taught them, Leo shared his testimony of many principles, and they accepted a baptismal date! After accepting, they even said, "We've never been baptized, and we also want to get married!" As we left, Leo asked if everyday was like this. I simply said, "It can be."

I love the mission!

Elder Bartlett

Notice we received this week

Dear Bartlett Family,

Hi, this is Elder Stewart from the Argentina Comodoro Rivadavia Mission, just writing to let you know that your son Elder Jarom Bartlett will be completing his service as a full-time missionary and returning with honor June 22. Attached is the information relating to his flights, which has also been sent to President Sabey. We appreciate the service that your son has given during the past two years, and all the support you have given as a family. If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email or to call us at one of the numbers listed below.

I actually had the opportunity to serve with Elder Bartlett as my zone leader. He is a great missionary. Just so you know.

Monday, April 25, 2016

It has been awhile since I have written, and I apologize. I'm really trying to bob for all the apples I can get, and I don't feel like I have to time to take a breath!

I can't even remember what I wrote about the last time I did write... But I absolutely love the people here in Rio Grande. I love how God loves everyone of them. If we just open our hearts and look around, it isn't hard to see that God exists.

In other business not related to teaching, but very related to miracles, we went to Ushuaia this last week for district conference! I saw all the members from my first ward... our landlords, the Mena family. They are so sweet! We slept in my old pension on the floor... can't say I miss being there, but the view is spectacular. It really was a last minute miracle that we even got there and then obtained food for 22 misionaries the night before the Sunday session.

I'd like to share a lesson on faith and grocery shopping. We went late after the Saturday session to buy noodles, hot dogs, and tomato sauce for the 22 missionaries that came with us from Rio Grande. The snow and wind was chilling us to our bones and the last bus for the night was no where in sight. We called for a taxi but no one answered. I said a silent prayer and waited. Wrong. We waited a long time. Nothing happened. Finally I decided we would either have to walk or go look for a taxi some other place. The moment I took a step, the bus showed up. Praying with faith requires action.

Other than that, we have lots of people progressing towards baptism! And not just progressing, but progressing in miraculous ways. I love the mission!

Monday, April 4, 2016

I hate goodbyes... Elder Boyd was called to serve in Puerto Madryn in the very far north of the mission. Luckily my new companion, Elder Andreason, is super cool. It should be a good push to the end!

I love general conference! God really speaks to His children today through living prophets and apostles. I cannot deny that because in the act of pondering how to keep the teachings of 10 hours with me for the next six months, Elder Holland was inspired to speak about just that. Not only does God respond, He has an express line!

Monday, March 28, 2016

Sorry, we didn't have much time last week to write... This week was very sad, but also amazing! Sad because Elder Boyd is headed out to Puerto Madryn! He left today at 8:30... Sometime in the next couple days Elder Andreason should be here to be my new companion.

This week was miracle week! Out of no where an investigator in Tolhuin got married and the next day was baptized! Then by surprise President Rogers called and told the sisters that one of their investigators could get baptized! She had a rough travel towards baptism and had to leave behind her homosexual lifestyle, but she said that she felt so good after. You could see the light in her eyes and the love that she was filled with. It was beautiful.

Well friends, 3 more months. Time to sprint ;)

This week I received the absolute confirmation that God hears and answers our prayers.

Exhibit A

Monday night we were walking home, everything had failed that day, no one was home. We decide to use up what little time was left to talk to at least two more people. The last door we knocked on opened and, to our great surprise, let us in. We grew even more surprised as the woman who owned the house explained that she didn't believe in God. Okay... We began to teach, and she offered to read. When she asked questions, she accepted our answers. She did everything that someone who doesn't believe in God doesn't do. Why?

The second visit her sister was present and explained to us the depth of this woman's unbelief. Her sister explained that often she would yell out and accuse God of not helping her, of not filling her home with food or sending someone to do so. One night after a long day she yelled, "Where are you?" Then we knocked on the door. We testified of that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us, and that He sent His Son to save us. We testified that The Son of God suffered for our sins, died, and resurrected! I know my Savior lives, and I know God hears my prayers.

Monday, March 14, 2016

I actually just got all the papers to buy tickets to go home, so I'm in charge of filling everything out. The interview I'll ask President Rogers about, but I imagine he knows considering more than half the mission is going to BYU after! I'll see almost everyone after the mission!

Leadership Council (Elder Bartlett in the back row, middle, blond with glasses)

I am currently serving as the Zone Leader of Rio Grande, that's why I'm always sitting on a bus...

Thanks for always sending me pictures, it really keeps me going. You are the only ones that really write me anymore, but you do it so well that I am satisfied with just your emails!

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Ignacia gets baptized this Saturday by her husband, Ricardo. It was so special when we asked her who she wanted to baptize her, she asked him, and he asked us if he could. We said yes, and he started crying... This Saturday will be so cool! I'll make sure I get pictures ;)

Sorry for writing late, we had a meeting in Comodoro Rivadavia, and had to travel from Monday morning until last night. I can't feel my back, but my spirit is strong!

This last sunday, we had the biggest Gospel Essentials class I have ever seen! Seven people were there investigating, plus returning less-actives. Rio Grande is growing! I honestly wouldn't mind staying here to finish my mission... I just might!

Not much to tell, the work here is going great! Dreaming of home, but trying to stay focused and finish well.

Monday, February 29, 2016

I have a big anouncement! Ricardo and Ignacia got married! Ricardo is from Peru and has been a member for a few years. The missionaries started visiting Ignacia and she let the message into her heart, and started making changes! It was a long battle, but after several years, they finally got everything together and now she will be baptized the 12th of March by her husband who received the priesthood this Sunday! We are also working with their son, Marcelino. They are such a cool family!

In other news, Elder Bednar is touring South America, and we had a satelite transmission with him on Tuesday. It was the most remarkable experience I have ever had. It was a meeting that was completely guided by the Spirit, free of... It's hard to describe. He set up a situation where we were able to interact with him and he didn't KNOW exactly where we would go, but simply followed the Spirit and we all learned togeher. He truly is a man called and inspired of God to guide us in these days.

Shout out to my nephew, Eli, and neice, Lydia, for their baptisms! I am so proud of you! Also to my nephew, Matthew, for his birthday and receiving the priesthood!

Monday, February 22, 2016

I don't have much time because the internet cut, but I just want everyone to know that Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina is on FIRE with the SPIRIT!

We are convinced that it is due to the renewed spirit to attend the temple. Many have the goal to go and be sealed, take names of ancestors, and make a great sacrifice of time and money. Keep your eyes fixed on the eternities! Remember that eternal life is the greatest gift that of Heavenly Father offers us. Be a temple attending person.

Monday, February 15, 2016

I'm not sure where I live anymore, in my pension or in the bus terminal! This last week was insane with transfers... All the highways are complicated with the wind and political demonstrations, but everyone made it safely to their new areas. The hand of God revealed right before out eyes!

So many people came to church yesterday! Ignacia and Ricardo are going to get married! He is returning to activity and she is super excited to get baptized! They have a son that recently got here from Paraguay and he is also listening to us and came to church! But they left after Gospel Essentials...

This awesome investigator, Mara, also came with her sister-in-law that is member. She went to young womens and loved it! Two new elders, Elder Fred and Elder Cruz, came to help us with the harvest here in Rio Grande, so we split our area and they are in charge of her.

They are also teaching the two cutest little girls! Veronica and Valentina Bobadilla are the daughters of an active family, but the father wanted to wait until the new chapel opened. They are going to get baptized the 27th! WOO HOO! They came up to me in church and asked, "Are you going to come to our house today?!" It was sad to try and explain that we aren't in charge of teaching them... But we will be there for their baptism!

Besides the craziness with transfers, it was a great week! Hope everything is well up north! Go BRONCOS!

Monday, February 8, 2016

Dear Family and Friends,I have written a lot about how God exists and loves us. This week, I would like to share how He manifests His love and power yesterday, today, and forever.Today is transfers and four elders left for the north. They left at 10:15 this morning, and about 2 hours later we get an urgent call asking us what we want to do with a missionary that got left at the border of Argentina and Chile. Uhh... well... what? This missionary recently arrived here, but with several miracles, we got all the documentation to the frontera, he paid a fellow traveler, and he caught up with the bus at the other border... Wow. So that is why I don't have much time to write.I'm staying here in Rio Grande with Elder Boyd. Woo Hoo!!In short, miracles literally happen everyday. Look for them!Love, Elder BartlettMom and Dad,I miss snowboarding! That snow honestly looks fantastic, even though it stopped Ryan and MJ, because it is hot here! Sometimes... (Elder Bartlett misunderstood our email, Ryan & MJ had a blast snowboarding!)Jacobs package of straight poptarts got to me ;) Very delicious!

Monday, February 1, 2016

There was a baptism on Saturday! My companion and I got to go to Tolhuin, a very beautiful city close to Rio Grande, and watch a little girl get baptized. She was so cute and filled with a desire to follow Christ. Also, one Elder Lowe made absolutely delicious brownies. I don't know which one was sweeter, them or the baptism.

It is rather complicated to explain, but I am in Trelew, a city close to where I was in Rawson. Anyway, to get here I had to take a plane. On said plane, I found myself next to a beautiful family, mom, dad, and the most adorable little girl I have ever seen! She was very excited to fly and was curious about everything she found. I always learn something watching younglings because they truly act from the heart. In the row next to us was a little boy, bigger than she was, that was groaning and moaning because he was scared, and his mom couldn't seem to comfort him. This little girl, Isabel, couldn't speak a whole lot, but with her little finger she pointed at him and looked very worredly at her parents as if saying, "Help him." Most people on a plane are simply annoyed by crying children. Most kids usually get scared and start cying as well. I'll admit, I was one that was annoyed, but Isabel's reaction surprised me. How many times do we see people in their problems or worries and simply ignore them or move further away? We think that it isn't our problem. I know I have.

Are we not all part of the same eternal family? Aren't we all brothers and sisters spread across the world? Isn't the same Eternal Father of all giving us the chance to grow in love? We are all children of God, and we are all here to help each other out!

Love,

Elder Bartlett

PS It has been pretty mild weather down in Rio Grande because it's summer in a winterland, but we just got off of a plane up in Trelew and it is running 90 degrees! By the way, this morning we took a bus down from Rio Grande to Ushuaia and I got to see my first area again! Ha ha but we went straight to the airport to go to Trelew. We have a meeting in Comodoro tomorrow and we leave on the bus tonight.

Yes, that is my new companion in the picture. Have I not sent a picture of us yet?!

Speaking of prices and economy, everything here in Argentina is SUPER expensive. The prices have tripled since I got here. The mission is probably going to incease of monthly assignation again soon.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Yesterday we re-dedicated the chapel of Rio Grande. It is one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen, especially here in Argentina, but even back in the States. It is nice. I will get a picture of it to everyone soon.

This last Wednesday we had a really cool opportunity to hear from some of the 12 apostles and 70's who are in charge of missionary work. They had a live, world-wide transmission discussing how to "Teach Repentace and Baptize Converts." My favorite part was when Elder Oaks reviewed everything at the end and talked about how we cannot achieve the hightest glory that our Heavenly Father has prepared without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and we cannot have access to that Atonement without living all the principles of the gospel. We must develop faith, we must repent and change, we must be baptized, we must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and we must keep doing those four things all throughout our lives in order to have access to Christ's Atonement. How true that is. How much God loves us.

He really does love us, and it is amazing to find those people that want to express their love to Him in return. On Friday, we were on our way home to end the day, and a 17-year old kid that we had contacted calls us and says he is waiting outside of our pension to be taught. What?! So we go, set up some chairs behind our little wooden home, and teach this young man about Joseph Smith's prayer and the Book of Mormon. It is absolutely freezing cold, but he doesn't even care. He is listening so intently, telling us how it all makes sense and wanting to know more. It couldn't get any better... until he tells us that he is leaving for two weeks to Brazil... He says that he is going to bring his Book of Mormon with him, and I hope that he actually reads it. Either way, that was an amazing experience and I am grateful that Someone is listening to my prayers.

I know everyone is now asking, "Elder Bartlett, how is it cold? It's the middle of summer in the southern hemisphere." I too have asked myself that very question. Summer is only a dream here. It's basically Antarctica, cold, windy, and harsh all year round. It wasn't quite snowing, but there were several days this last week that we got drenched by slush rain. No one let us in... But I still love them all! I just wish they knew what I know, and getting upset doesn't help me share that.

Have a great week, and try to be a little better. Every day is a blessing from God, we should thank him by changing at least one small thing.

A funny post we found on Facebook of some missionaries

Love,

Elder Bartlett

Jarom and his compainion with the Sanchez's and with Martin Israel Meretta, an elder that his older brother Nathanael Bartlett served with when he was a missionary in Resistencia Argentina. It a small world indeed!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Greetings to family, friends, and fellow missionaries across the world!

I have some more to say about that greeting later, but first I have to explain the subject. We found this family, Villalobo (Wolf Village), that has been listening to the missionaries for 27 years, and we started teaching them again. At first they accepted what we said, but after our third visit it was clear they were not going to change. We told them we couldn't keep coming by, but they love the missionaries and want us to keep come by all the time, so they made us a really delicious cake (for reals one of the best cakes I have ever eaten) to try and tempt us. But they simply don't want to change.

Then, last week we met this man that is from northern Argentina, here looking for work. We start talking to him and he lets us in and we share with him Joseph Smith's experience and the Restoration of the gospel. He likes it and wants to know more, even though he is involved in the Evangelical Church. He gives us a really dry, flavorless cake. We come back for the second lesson and he accepts baptism and to read the Book of Mormon and pray! Guess I should pay more attention to people's cake.

So when we went the visit Gabriel, the bad cake man, we were doing something called Super Day. Basically a day were the whole zone decides to work as hard as they possibly can. At the end of the day, between 15 missionaries, we had talked to 215 people about the church, taught 38 lessons, and 4 people had accepted to get baptized! It was a day of miracles.

How real is God, no? There are hundreds of family and friends all over the world that believe and testify of the same Great Creator and Father of All. Can this simply be a human imagination? Can it be that millions of people world-wide for thousands of years have been following a myth? No. This is real. The world tries to hide it from us with all it's distractions, stress, media, false lifestyles, etc. If we simply take time to think, pull our heads out of the craziness, and look at the world, for me I see two things: what man has accomplished and what God has accomplished. His existence is very obvious. His accomplishments surround us, constant and beautiful. Man's accomplishments come and go, some are ugly, all are imperfect. God tells us everyday that He exists and that He has a purpose for us, do we listen?

Monday, January 11, 2016

It seems like I wrote just the other day... oh wait. I know it hasn't been too much time since I wrote, but too much has happened that I can't even write it all!

This area is special, and Elder Boyd is a super missionary. The other day we passed by a couple, and they were really sick yet let us come in. They are new here and come from the north, but have made a good friendship with the members here. They have come to church many times, but we quickly found out that they had never received the missionary lessons. I have taught the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ many times, but never has anyone listened so intently as they did. They really understood that God sends gives us families, prophets, and scriptures because He loves us. They were so happy.

Yesterday we went by a man that we had briefly talked with outside of his house. His mother-in-law answered the door, and let us in. They were all together reading the bible, the mother, daughter, son-in-law, brother, and son. They had no idea who we were, but as we taught them how much God loves us, they recognized that we were not there by accident. They accepted everything we said, sometimes sharing scriptures with us that we usually use when teaching! God really does prepare His children for the perfect moment.

I would like to share with you this week Mosiah 4:9

Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has allwisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

And I would like to add my own admonitio, believe that God loves you, that He knows you, and that He has a plan for you. Then, go find out what that plan is.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

I apologize for the lack of information, I have been living the last two weeks on buses... First, I leave from Comodoro Rivadavia right after I wrote last Monday, I got on a very nice bus (leather seats, only three seats in a row instead of four, laid almost all the way back, got to put my gigantic legs in the aisle), and I make my way down to Rio Grande. This trip is roughly 20 hours, mostly on paved road, but a lot on rocky roads, and a small part on a boat. I am in Rio Grande from Tuesday night until Monday morning, when I got back on the bus and went back to Comodoro for a meeting... we got there Tuesday in the morning, had the meeting, and back on the bus that night... get back to Rio Grande Wednesday night... I almost lost the ability to walk after being on a bus for close to 60 hours.

Good news! As far as I know, the Remolcoy Family (the three kids we were teaching) got baptized yesterday! I haven't confirmed anything yet, but it seemed pretty sure. I wish I could have been there, but the Lord has called me else where.

Rio Grande is nice. It colder than Comodoro, for which I am grateful because my once bright white shirts are starting to... not be so white anymore. There is still a lot of wind, but no dust or rocks like in Comodoro. The buildings and the city in general is more pleasing to the eye, and there are less stray dogs. The people like the weather are a little colder, but they aren't bad or anything.

Elder Boyd is a super awesome missionary from Florida! If people let us in, it's because they're scared of two gigants. He has been in the mission one transfer less than me, so we are two power houses! Plus he really knows why he is here and knows how to work, so we are going to get people in the water!

By the way, Happy New Year! We spent New Year's Eve with a family I met one time and some Elders that were passing through to get to Ushuaia. I made some corn bread and we ate pizza toppings but just on slices of bread. We got up the next day and played soccer almost all day in some really-cold-almost-snow rain.

Overall, things are going well. I am really excited for some things coming up in these next weeks, but I will keep you updated.